Direct application brush for horses and livestock that releases active ingredients

ABSTRACT

A horse and/or livestock brush releases a liquid gel solution directly onto the coat of an animal during brushing. Delivery of the liquid gel solution is activated by manually depressing the brushes cover. The liquid gel solution includes perfumes, fragrances and other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioners, dyes, moisturizers, or antibacterial compounds. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of apertures that are, optionally, aligned with apertures in brush bristles for delivery of the liquid gel active composition, and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. A porous sponge saturated with the liquid gel active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge, releasing the active ingredient during brushing or when the cover is depressed manually.

This is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/349,638, filedFeb. 8, 2006, for “Hairbrush for Pets and People that Releases ActiveIngredients”, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of applicationSer. No. 11/186,583, filed Jul. 21, 2005, for “Hairbrush for Pets andPeople that Releases Active Ingredients”, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a direct application brush for horsesand livestock; and more specifically to a hairbrush which, duringbrushing, releases active ingredients, such as therapeutic ormoisturizing compounds, antibacterial compounds, insect repellant, fleaand/or tic compounds, hair-conditioning and detangle products, sunprotection lotions, mane and tail whiteners and stain removers, dyecompositions, fragrances or other hair-related products.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many patents address issues related to brush designs having a number ofbristles adapted to provide desired brushing action. Brushes for pets,horses and livestock typically incorporate harsh bristles, while thosefor humans are typically provided with softer bristles. Several patentsdisclose coating bristles with desired compositions in order to deliverthese compositions to the brushed hair.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,076 to Meyer discloses a method and forming tool forthe fabrication of a bristle support for a brush, especially a brush.The method involves attaching pin-like bristles to a bristle support orcarrier for a hairbrush. In a first step the rows of bristle pins areinterconnected with one another at their rear end by means of a web. Theindividual bristle pin rows are retained in their position by the web.In a next step the bristle pins, at the region of their rear ends,together with the webs, are cast in the material of the bristle support,so that the bristle pin rows are embedded in the bristle support. Inthis method, the bristle pins are molded into a cast support that isrigid and solid and therefore is incapable of delivering perfume orother active compositions to the hair or fur being brushed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,491 to Ikemoto discloses a hairbrush adapted toprevent static charging of the bristles and hair. It has a multiplicityof small holes formed in a conductive brush base that carries a row ofantistatic members. The antistatic members are relatively stiff. Theyare prevented from bending down, and render the brush easy to drawthrough hair, thereby facilitating smooth brushing. The conductive brushbase is solid. It cannot deliver perfume or other active compositions tohair or fur, but merely eliminates the static present in the hair andbristles by conducting charges that are present.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,426 to Kellett, et al. discloses a hydrophilic foampad for hair styling. The hair conditioning and styling pad has a shapedbody of a resilient, open-celled, hydrophilic polyurethane foam matrixintegrally incorporating an aqueous phase incorporating about 70-90%water, about 5-25% of a hair conditioning agent, and a nonionicsurfactant. The bristles or tines of a brush contact the resilient padand transfer the aqueous hair styling composition to the brush so thatthe composition is subsequently transferred to the hair as it is beingstyled. This styling device requires periodic contact with the resilientpad to recharge the bristles, and does not by itself deliver perfume orother active compositions to hair or fur.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,099 to Staller, et al. discloses a therapeuticgroomer. This hand-held grooming device grooms, massages, and providesmagnetic therapy for animals. The device has a base that is configuredto be hand-held. On the base, there is formed a grooming pad havingprojections adapted for grooming and massaging. The grooming pads areformed by either a plurality of parallely arranged strips, each havingmagnetic properties, or a single magnetic sheet. Each strip has itsmagnetic poles aligned uniformly so that its longitudinal ends are polaropposites. The therapeutic groomer does not deliver perfume or activecompositions to the hair or fur being groomed.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,127 and 6,543,388 to Willinger, et al. disclose anergonomic handle for a grooming brush. This brush handle is formed witha continuously arched upper surface portion and a lower surface portionseparated by a humped semicircular ridge. One of the lower archedportions forms a trigger grip for a single finger held in either aforehand or backhand grip. The handle is covered with a high frictionmaterial in the form of a contoured rubber or elastomeric sleeve, whichis stretched over a molded plastic handle. These patents relate only tothe shape of a handle of a hairbrush and do not disclose a brush thatdelivers perfumes or other active ingredients to brushed hair or fur.

A hairbrush commercially marketed by JW Pet Company (Hasbrouck Heights,N.J.) incorporates an ergonomic handle disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,450,127 and 6,543,388. It uses a polymeric molded closed ellipticalcavity which includes a thick elliptical rubber element carryingmultitudes of metallic bristle pins with rounded tips. The distal end ofthe bristle pins opposed to the rounded tips carries nail heads, whichrests against and are glued to a thick rubber element using rubbercement or similar glue. The bristle pins in the rubber element form anair leak-tight seal. The elliptical rubber element has a single holeappointed for discharging air. This elliptical rubber element withattached pins is squeezed into the closed elliptical cavity of apolymeric molded brush and the rubber element adopts a concave shapewith the pins sticking out in a non-planar configuration. During use,pressure is applied to the pins in the middle portion of the ellipticalrubber element of the brush. The air entrapped in the cavity formed bythe rubber element and elliptical cavity is squeezed by the pressureapplied, thereby providing a springy feel, while the entrapped air isreleased through the single hole present in the elliptical rubberelement. This brush has a single air outlet and discharges air entrappedin the elliptical cavity of the brush. It has no means available fordelivering a perfume or other active ingredients to the brushed hair orfur.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,174 to Lee discloses a hair grooming brush having aplurality of rows of curved wavy bristles, rather than traditionalstraight bristles commonly found on brushes and combs. The curvature ofthe bristles produces springiness to the bristles when pressure isapplied during the combing action. The springiness of the numerous rowsof bristles translates into a massaging effect upon the hair and scalp.These springy bristles do not deliver perfumes or other activecompositions to the hair or fur being brushed.

There remains a need in the art for an easy to use brush for groominghorses and livestock that delivers one or more active ingredients, suchas perfume or other active compositions to the hair, mane, and fur ofthese animals. Also needed is a brush that releases perfume or otheractive compositions continuously during brushing, and releasesadditional perfume on demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a lightweight brush with a brush basehaving an internal cavity with a bottom surface having a first openingand a top surface having a second opening, respectively. The firstcavity opening is located on the bottom surface of the brush base,facing the bristles of the brush. The second cavity opening is locatedon the top surface of the brush base, opposed to the bristles. Aflexible, deformable membrane having a plurality of apertures,preferably made from rubber, carries a multitude of bristles insertedthrough the apertures in the flexible deformable membrane. Each bristleis provided with a central aperture and optionally a slit along thelength of the bristle. The central aperture is aligned with the aperturein the flexible deformable membrane so that a continuous liquid geldelivery path is provided. The edges of the flexible deformable membraneare tightly fitted to or permanently bonded to the walls of the firstopening of the internal cavity, thereby forming a leak tight seal. Thesecond cavity opening is slidably fitted with a back cover, arranged sothat it can be manually pushed in and out. A squeezable and poroussponge is positioned within the internal cavity. The sponge restsin-between and is defined within the flexible deformable membrane andthe slidable cover, respectively. The porous sponge contains a desiredliquid gel of perfume or fragrance or other active compositions such asinsect repellants, hair-conditioning products, dye compositions,moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like. Whenhair or fur is brushed with the brush of the subject invention, theflexible membrane is deformed. This causes the sponge to be squeezed,and the liquid gel fragrance or perfume or other active composition isreleased to the hairs or fur of the coat being brushed through the fineapertures provided within the bristles transferring the liquid gelperfume, fragrance or active ingredient to hairs or fur of the coatduring brushing. Application of additional pressure on the bristlesduring brushing instantly releases the liquid gel perfume, fragrance oractive ingredient due to the squeezing action of the sponge.

Alternatively, the back cover, which is positioned over the secondopening, may be manually pushed inwards towards the bristles, therebysqueezing the porous sponge and releasing the fragrance, or perfumeand/or other active compositions through the apertures in the bristlesfixed to the flexible deformable member. This method of releasing theliquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or active compositions does notrequire the bristles to be in contact with the hairs or fur of the coatbeing brushed, and can therefore be used to treat selected areas of coatprior to vigorous brushing.

The bristles with fine apertures may be attached to the flexibledeformable membrane apertures in numerous ways. The bristles may bemolded together by injection molding or similar processes with thedeformable membrane, as a unitary body with the apertures in theflexible deformable membrane matching the central aperture in thebristle. In a second embodiment, the bristles may comprise aperturesthat are U shaped so that the aperture not only brings the liquid gelperfume, fragrance or active agent to the tip of the bristle, but alsodelivers along the length of the bristle. In this embodiment, thebristles deliver the liquid gel perfume, fragrance or active ingredientalong its entire length and any hairs or fur of the coat contacting thebristle is coated with the liquid gel of fragrance, perfume or activeingredient.

The brush is assembled first by inserting the flexible, deformablemembrane with brush elements having fine apertures attached thereto intothe first opening of the internal cavity of the brush base. Thedeformable membrane is entirely contained within the first opening,wherein the perimeter of the membrane rests against the inner wall whichis defined by the internal cavity. Next, the porous sponge that issaturated with the perfume or active compositions is inserted throughthe second opening and rests against the flexible deformable membrane.The back cover is now inserted over the second opening and rests againstthe porous sponge. When the sponge is exhausted, it is replaced byremoving the back cover, removing the old sponge, and inserting a newporous sponge.

The porous sponge that contains liquid gel solution made up of perfumeand/or other active compositions including insect repellant,hair-conditioning products, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients,antibacterial compounds, animal health care products, grooming products,and the like is marketed as a replacement product. The porous sponge issealed in a polymeric wrapper, and the user opens the sponge and insertsit into the internal cavity of the brush of the subject invention. Undernormal use a fresh porous sponge lasts until the liquid gel isexhausted.

The bristles display a springy action first due to the flexibledeformable membrane, which traps air within the internal cavity. Theporous sponge also acts as a resilient member providing a cushioningaction. Pushing the back cover in to release the liquid gel fragrance,perfume and/or other active composition is resisted by the flexibledeformable membrane. The porous sponge behaves like a spring and returnsthe cover to the original position after release of the liquid gelfragrance, perfume and/or other active composition.

The liquid gel perfume, fragrance or active ingredient has a contactangle sufficiently low, typically in the range of 1 to 30 degrees withrespect to the bristle material so that the liquid penetrates the fineapertures provided within the bristles. If the contact angle issignificantly larger, the penetration of the liquid gel within the fineapertures of the bristle is compromised.

Significant advantages are realized by practice of the presentinvention. The key features of the direct application horse brush,include, in combination, the features set forth below:

1) a brush base has an internal cavity with a bottom surface having afirst opening and top surface having a second opening, respectively;

2) the first opening is appointed to receive a flexible deformablemembrane;

3) the second opening is appointed to receive a back cover;

3) the flexible deformable membrane has several rows of bristle elementswith fine apertures provided therewithin; 4) a porous sponge saturatedwith liquid gel solution containing perfume, fragrance and/or otheractive compositions including insect repellants, hair-conditioningproducts, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, antibacterialcompounds, and the like, is placed between the flexible deformablemembrane and the back cover, respectively, within the internal cavity;

5) brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane, therebysqueezing the porous sponge and releasing to the brushed hair the liquidgel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions contained withinthe porous sponge, releasing the liquid gel through the fine bristleapertures that are open at the tip and optionally additionally openalong the length of the bristle;

6) a user, at any time, may manually depress the back cover to squeezethe porous sponge, causing it to release the liquid gel perfume,fragrance and/or other active compositions contained within the poroussponge through the apertures in the bristles of the flexible deformablemembrane; and

7) the user may periodically replace the sponge with a fresh sponge whenthe liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active composition isexhausted;

whereby the user of the brush of the subject invention is provided withthe capability to saturate the hairs or fur of the coat being brushedwith a perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions includinginsect repellant, hair conditioning products, dye compositions,moisturizing ingredients, antibacterial compounds, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages willbecome apparent when reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a side view depicting the brush of this invention, showingthe brush base with the internal cavity, the flexible deformablemembrane having brush elements with a central aperture, the poroussponge saturated with perfume, fragrance and/or other activecompositions, the back cover, and the handle;

FIG. 1 b is a top plane view of the brush of this invention depicted inFIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a bottom plane view of the brush of this invention depictedin FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting the brush of this invention, showingthe brush base, the internal cavity, the flexible deformable membranehaving brush elements with a central aperture, the porous spongesaturated with perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions, andthe back cover;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the assembled brush of the subjectinvention taken along cross section XX of FIG. 1, showing the relativelocations of the flexible deformable membrane with attached bristleshaving a central aperture, the porous sponge, and the back cover;

FIG. 4 a is an illustration showing the flexible deformable membranewith attached bristles having a central aperture according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 b shows the cross section of an individual bristle showing thecentral aperture;

FIG. 5 a is an illustration showing the flexible deformable membranewith attached bristles having a central aperture and having additionalaperture openings along the length of the bristle according to thesecond embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 b is a cross sectional view of an individual bristle showing theU shaped central aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a brush for use with horses and livestock. Thebrush of the subject invention releases active compounds insubstantially liquid form onto the fur, hair, mane, and coat of thehorse and livestock, penetrating follicle depths. Active ingredientsinclude fragrances, therapeutic or moisturizing compounds,hair-conditioning and detangle products, sun protection lotions, maneand tail whiteners and stain removers, dye compositions and otherhair-related products, antibacterial compounds, flea and/or ticcompounds, and insect repellant or the like. Direct delivery of theactive compound onto the coat and mane of the animal provides optimalpenetration and effectiveness of the product's treatment.

The present brush's application is particularly directed to use withlivestock and barn animals such as horses, ponies, llamas, cattle andthe like. These animals are oftentimes exposed to infection throughparasites, such as ticks, and would benefit from a brush that provided adirect delivery system wherein the medicament can be delivered quicklyand efficiently to the animal's skin, without having to be rubbed inthrough the animal's coat. Direct delivery of the active ingredients ofthe product to the animal's skin and interstitials of the hair or fur ofthe coat provides optimal application without loss due to run-off fromupper surface applications of the product. As a result, exposure andcontact of the active ingredients to the individual applying same ismitigated, while the delivery of the active ingredients is achieved in ahighly efficient manner.

The brush is provided with a brush base that has an internal cavity witha bottom surface having a first opening and top surface having a secondopening, respectively. The first opening receives a flexible deformablemembrane which carries bristle elements having central apertures torelease a liquid gel perfume, fragrance, and/or active compositionsduring brushing or at the desire of the user at any time. The flexibledeformable membrane has a plurality of apertures within which bristleswith central apertures are placed. Central apertures within the bristlesprovide a continuous liquid gel flow path. The first opening of thebrush base receives the flexible deformable membrane with the bristleshaving a central aperture so that the bristles extend from the brushbase. The perimeter of the flexible deformable membrane rests againstthe interior wall of the brush base defined by the internal cavity,thereby forming a leak tight seal. Preferably, the flexible deformablemembrane is permanently bonded to the walls of the first opening of thebrush base. A porous sponge saturated with liquid gel perfume, fragranceand/or other active compositions is placed within the internal cavityand rests on the flexible deformable membrane. A back cover is insertedthrough the second opening and rests against the sponge and forms a leaktight seal for the internal cavity.

Generally stated, the invention consists of a brush, which releasesliquid gel fragrance, perfume and/or other active compositions duringbrushing or at any time by the user pressing the back cover. During thebrushing action the bristles apply pressure against the central portionof the flexible deformable membrane, flattening the membraneconfiguration. This flattening action directly applies pressure on theporous sponge, which releases the liquid gel fragrance, perfume and/orother active compositions contained therein through the apertures of thebristles integrated within the flexible deformable membrane.Alternatively, the liquid gel fragrance, perfume and/or other activecompositions may be released at will by manually depressing the backcover, which squeezes the porous sponge saturated with the liquid gelfragrance, perfume and/or other active composition.

The first opening may take any shape including elliptical, circular,rectangular, or square-shaped. The second opening may take any shapeincluding elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. Theflexible, deformable membrane may take any shape including elliptical,circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. The porous sponge may take anyshape including elliptical, circular, rectangular, or square-shaped. Theback cover may take any shape including elliptical, circular,rectangular, or square-shaped. Any other suitable geometric shapes arewithin the scope of the present invention. Preferably, each of the firstopening, second opening, flexible membrane, sponge, and back cover hasthe same general shape, respectively. At a minimum, all that is requiredis that, whatever its shape, the flexible deformable membrane and thecover form an air tight seal with the internal cavity so that the liquidgel perfume, fragrance and/or other active composition is releasedreliably.

The flexible deformable membrane is preferably made from rubber,typically with a thickness of 1/32 inch to 3/32 inch. The aperturesprovided for receiving the bristles are typically 0.010-0.60 inches,matching the outer diameter of the bristles used. The bristles arepreferably polymeric bodies with a central aperture and a rounded endcontacting hair. The bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.010 inch to0.060 inches with central apertures having a diameter ranging from 0.005inch to 0.040 inches. The bristles with a central aperture arepreferably permanently bonded to the flexible deformable membraneapertures using glue or other attachment means, with the centralaperture in the bristle matching that in the flexible deformablemembrane so that a continuous liquid gel flow path is provided.Alternatively, the flexible deformable membrane and the bristles withthe central aperture may be molded by an injection molding processes inone step to create a one piece unit which contains both the flexibledeformable membrane and the bristles with central aperture.

In the second embodiment of the invention, each of the bristles not onlyhas a central opening, but has a slit aperture along the length of thebristle. In other words, the bristle is U-shaped in its cross sectionand fits into or is bonded to the aperture in the flexible deformablemembrane. In this arrangement, the liquid gel contained in the poroussponge is delivered to the hair that is being brushed both along thelength of the bristle and its tip, providing more uniform distributionof the liquid gel contained within the porous sponge.

Since the liquid gel is released from the porous sponge and has totravel along the length of the bristle through the central aperture, itis important that the contact angle of the liquid gel with the bristlebe in the range of 2 degrees to 30 degrees. If the contact angle exceedsthis range, the liquid gel may not easily penetrate the central apertureand be delivered to the tip of the bristle in the first embodiment or tothe tip and side surface of the bristle in the second embodiment.

Assembly of the brush of this invention comprises the steps of:

-   -   1. Arranging a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of        apertures adapted to receive and be attached to bristles with        central apertures. The flexible deformable membrane is inserted        through the first opening in the internal cavity of the brush        base. Since the flexible deformable membrane has a slightly        larger dimension than the first opening in the brush base, it        must be flexed to insert the flexible deformable membrane. At        this stage, the bristles with central aperture incorporated in        the flexible deformable membrane point away from the internal        cavity of the brush base. The perimeter of the flexible        deformable membrane rests against the interior walls defined by        the internal cavity, thereby forming an airtight seal.        Alternatively, the flexible deformable membrane with attached        bristles having a central aperture may be permanently bonded to        the brush base.    -   2. The porous sponge saturated with liquid gel of fragrance,        perfume and/or other active composition is now inserted from the        second opening in the internal cavity of the brush base. The        porous sponge is arranged so that it rests on the flexible        deformable membrane, feeding the liquid gel to the aperture in        the flexible deformable membrane and central apertures in the        bristles.    -   3. The back cover is inserted over the second opening. This is a        sliding fit providing a leak tight seal. The back cover rests        against the porous sponge.    -   4. Now the assembled brush is ready to use. It delivers liquid        gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions        contained within the sponge, when the brush is used to brush        human or pet hair. Alternatively, the liquid gel fragrance,        perfume and/or other active composition may be released at will        by manually depressing the slidable back cover. Once the liquid        gel perfume, fragrance and/or active composition is exhausted,        the porous sponge is replaced with a fresh sponge by removing        the back cover, discarding the used-up sponge, inserting a fresh        sponge and re-inserting the back cover.

Plastic materials have particular application in manufacturing thesubject brush, specifically including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) andacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The size of the channel-likeopenings in the bristles could vary depending upon the viscosity of theliquid composition appointed for delivery. A vast array of animal healthcare products and compounds and solutions can be applied through use ofthe subject brush, such as those set forth in Table I hereinbelow. TABLEI ULTRASHIELD ™ Insecticide & Repellent SUPERSHIELD RED ™Water-Resistant Fly Repellent SUPERSHIELD GREEN ™ Horse Spray, HerbalGel & Super Concentrate SHOWSHEEN ™ Hair Polish & DetanglerULTRASCREEN ™ Maximum Sun Protection Lotion & Fade Protection SUPERPOO &Mane & Tail Whitener & Stain Remover SHOWCLEAN ™ ABSORBINE ® VaryingApplication; muscle, joint and arthritis pain reliever;

FIG. 1 a illustrates a side view of the brush for horses and livestockof the present invention, shown generally at 50. Brush 50 includes ahandle 51 and brush base 52 having an internal cavity 53. The internalcavity 53 has a first opening 55 and a second opening 54. A flexibledeformable membrane 56 with bristle elements 57 having apertures 58 isinserted within the first elliptical opening 55. Bristles elements 57are herein shown having a cone shape, but bristle elements 57 may havean elongated rectangular or cylindrical shape (as is illustrated inFIGS. 2-5 hereinafter), or any suitable shape for combing between hairsor fur of the coat of an animal. Flexible deformable membrane 56includes holes 62 interstitially therein which are in substantialproximity and alignment with bristles elements 57 and the apertures 58thereof. A porous sponge 59 infused or saturated with liquid gelperfume, fragrance and/or other active composition is inserted above theflexible deformable membrane 56 within the internal cavity 53. Thesecond opening 54 receives a back cover 61 with handle 51 attachedthereto. Back cover 61 rests against the porous sponge 59.

FIGS. 1 b and 1 c illustrate views of the brush for horses and livestockdepicted in FIG. 1 a: FIG. 1 b illustrates a top plane view, showngenerally at 80; and FIG. 1 c illustrates a bottom plane view, showngenerally at 90. Handle 51 extends over the brush base 52 of the brush.In operation, a user places their hand with the palm thereof facingdownward toward brush base 52, while the top of the hand is in contactwith handles 51. Brush base 52 is constructed with internal cavity 53with first opening 55 and second opening 54. Second opening 55accommodates flexible deformable membrane 56, which in turn holdsbristle elements 57 having apertures 58 to form a substantially airtight seal. Flexible deformable membrane 56 includes holes 62 insubstantial proximity and alignment with bristles elements 57 and theapertures 58 thereof. Alternatively, holes 62 of membrane 56 may includea plurality of holes, particularly when bristle elements 57 have aconical shape (as shown in FIGS. a-c), so that more than one hole 62 isin association with each bristle element 57 and the plurality of smallholes 62 feed into or, alternatively, along the side of each bristleelement 57. Porous sponge 59 is inserted above the flexible deformablemembrane 56 within the internal cavity 53 and back cover 61 rests thereagainst.

FIG. 2 illustrates at 10 the brush for horses and livestock of thesubject invention with a handle 11 and brush base 12 having an internalcavity 13. The internal cavity 13 has a first opening generally marked15 and a second opening generally marked 14. A flexible deformablemembrane 16 with bristle elements 17 having apertures 18 is insertedwithin the first elliptical opening 15. The bristle elements 17 areshown in cross section, for clarity, to illustrate the central aperturewithin the bristle. The apertures in the flexible deformable membrane 16are shown at 22. A porous sponge 19 infused or saturated with liquid gelperfume, fragrance and/or other active composition is inserted above theflexible deformable membrane 16 within the internal cavity 13. Thesecond opening 14 receives a back cover 21 with handle 11 attachedthereto. Back cover 21 rests against the porous sponge 19.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the assembled brush of the subjectinvention along cross section XX of FIG. 1, shown generally at 25. Inits assembled configuration, the flexible deformable membrane 16 isentirely contained within the first opening 15. The flexible deformablemembrane 16 is located against the inner wall defined by the internalcavity 13 so as to form a leak-tight seal or preferably bonded to theinner wall 13. Due to the larger dimension of the flexible deformablemembrane 16, it protrudes from the first opening 15 with a convex bulge.The bristle elements 17 with apertures 18 are bonded to the flexibledeformable membrane 16 so that bristle apertures line up, at least inpart, with corresponding holes 22 in the flexible deformable membrane.Alternatively, the apertures 18 in the flexible deformable membrane 16are disposed with respect to the brush bristles, so that the liquidpassing through apertures 18 flows along the outsides of the brushbristles. When this brush is used, the bristle elements 17 withapertures 18 attached to the flexible deformable membrane 16 contact thehair, fur, or coat of the horse, pet or livestock first, therebydeforming the flexible deformable membrane 16. The porous sponge 19 withliquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions islocated in contact with the flexible deformable membrane 16. On thetopside of the porous sponge there is the back cover 21, which isinserted through the second opening 14 forming a leak tight seal of theinternal cavity. When the brush is used, pressure is applied to theflexible deformable membrane 16 which in turn squeezes the porous sponge19, thereby releasing the liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or otheractive composition incorporated in the sponge. The release occursthrough a plurality of brush apertures 18 that are in line with theapertures 22 in the flexible deformable membrane 16. Alternatively, theliquid gel fragrance, perfume and/or other active composition may bereleased at any time by the user manually depressing the back cover 21,even when the brush is not brushing hair or fur. In still anotherembodiment of the brush, the apertures 18 are disposed such that liquidgel fragrance, perfume and/or other active composition, when releasedtherethrough, flows along the outsides of the brush bristles.

FIG. 4 a illustrates the flexible deformable membrane with bondedbristles 17, shown generally at 30. The flexible deformable membrane hasapertures 22 which are matched with the apertures 18 in the bristles 17.In this figure, the bristles are shown in cross section to illustrateclearly the central aperture. FIG. 4 b shows the cross section of thebristle showing the central aperture 18 within the bristle 17 takenalong plan V of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 a illustrates the flexible deformable membrane with bondedbristles 47, shown generally at 40. The flexible deformable membrane hasapertures 42 which are matched with U-shaped apertures 48 in thebristles 47. In this figure, the bristles are shown in cross section toillustrate clearly the central aperture. FIG. 5 b shows the crosssection of the bristle showing the central U-shaped aperture 48 withinthe bristle 47 taken along plan VI of FIG. 5 a.

The brush 10 disclosed herein can be modified in numerous ways withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Porous sponge 19 can bereplaced by a plastic silicon shell that encapsulates a liquid gelperfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions. These ingredientsare released into canals within bristles 17 and/or flow along the sidesof the bristles 17 upon application of pressure to flexible deformablemembrane 16 or manual depression of back cover 21. An additional orreserve supply of liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other activecompositions can be stored in one or more compartments within theinterior of handle 11, and thereafter injected into contact with theflexible deformable membrane 16. The compartments can be replenished bypouring liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositionstherein through an optional sealable lid in back cover 20, or through anoptional opening in the handle 11 which is normally sealed to theexterior but can be opened thereto by a removable cap. Replacement ofcontents within the optional compartment of handle 11 can alternativelybe accomplished by insertion of injector cartridges containing theliquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions. Suchchanges, modifications and alternative arrangements of the brush 10 arewell within the ambit of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will beunderstood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but thatadditional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to oneskilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention asdefined by the subjoined claims.

1. A direct application brush for horses and livestock, comprising: a. amolded brush base with a handle and an internal cavity with a bottomsurface having a first opening and top surface having a second opening,respectively; b. said first opening being adapted to receive a flexibledeformable membrane having apertures aligned with apertures in bristlesof a brush fixedly attached thereto; c. a porous sponge saturated withliquid gel solution being placed over said flexible deformable membranewithin said internal cavity; d. said second opening being adapted toreceive a cover that is slidably fit within said second opening, whereinsaid cover presses against said porous sponge; whereby brushing hairwith said brush deforms said flexible deformable membrane and squeezessaid sponge, releasing said liquid gel solution saturated within saidporous sponge through said apertures in said flexible deformablemembrane and said bristles, and pressing the cover squeezes said poroussponge, releasing said liquid gel solution saturated within said poroussponge through said apertures in said flexible deformable membrane andbristles irregardless of whether said bristles of said brush are incontact with hair.
 2. A brush as recited by claim 1, wherein each ofsaid first and second openings is elliptical, said flexible deformablemembrane is elliptical, and said cover is elliptical.
 3. A brush asrecited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings iscircular, said flexible deformable membrane is circular, and said coveris circular.
 4. A brush as recited by claim 1, wherein each of saidfirst and second openings is rectangular, said flexible deformablemembrane is rectangular, and said cover is rectangular.
 5. A brush asrecited by claim 1, wherein each of said first and second openings issquare-shaped, said flexible deformable membrane is square-shaped, andsaid cover is square-shaped.
 6. A brush as recited by claim 1, whereinsaid flexible deformable membrane is composed of rubber having athickness in the range of 1/32 inch to 3/32 inch.
 7. A brush as recitedby claim 1, wherein said flexible deformable membrane aperture has adiameter in the range of 0.010 inch to 0.060 inch.
 8. A brush as recitedby claim 1, wherein each of said bristles has a circular cross section,the diameter of which ranges from 0.010 to 0.060 inch.
 9. A brush asrecited by claim 1, wherein each of said bristles has a circular crosssection, the diameter of which ranges from 0.005 inch to 0.040 inch. 10.A brush as recited by claim 9, wherein each of said bristles has acircular cross section with a central aperture and a slit along thelength of the bristle forming a bristle having a U-shaped cross section.11. A brush as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible deformablemembrane is composed of a flexible polymeric material having a thicknessin the range of 1/32 inch to 3/32 inch.
 12. A brush as recited by claim1, wherein said liquid gel solution saturating said porous spongeincludes active ingredients comprising grooming and cleaning productsfor a coat of said horse and livestock.
 13. A brush as recited by claim1, wherein said liquid gel solution saturating said porous spongeincludes active ingredients comprising animal health care products. 14.A brush as recited by claim 1, wherein said liquid gel solution of saidporous sponge is saturated with liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/orother active composition comprising insect repellant, flea repellantsand treatments, tic repellant, mane and tail hair conditioningcompositions, dye compositions, moisturizing ingredients, orantibacterial compounds.
 15. A brush as recited by claim 1, wherein saidliquid gel solution saturating said porous sponge consists of activeingredients selected from a group consisting of insect repellants, fleaand/or tic compounds, muscle treatments, therapeutic or moisturizingcompounds, or antibacterial compounds.
 16. A brush as recited by claim1, wherein said liquid gel solution saturating said porous spongeconsists of active ingredients selected from a group consisting ofperfumes, fragrance, hair-conditioning and detangle products, sunprotection lotions, mane and tail whiteners and stain removers, dyecompositions, fragrances or other hair/fur/coat-care related products.17. A method for making a direct delivery brush for horses and livestockcoats that releases a solution, comprising the steps of: a. forming abrush base having an internal cavity with a bottom surface having afirst opening and top surface having a second opening; b. producing aflexible deformable membrane having apertures aligned with apertures inbristles rigidly attached thereto; c. inserting said flexible deformablemembrane into said first opening in said internal cavity; d. inserting aporous sponge saturated with liquid gel solution through said secondopening in said internal cavity, said porous sponge being in contactwith said flexible deformable membrane; e. slidably inserting a coverthrough said second opening in said internal cavity, said cover being incontact with said porous sponge; whereby said flexible deformablemembrane and slidable cover create a substantially leak-tight seal forsaid internal cavity in said brush base, and brushing hair or manuallydepressing said cover releases said liquid gel solution to said coat ofsaid horse and livestock.
 18. A method for making a direct deliverybrush as recited by claim 1, wherein said liquid gel solution saturatingsaid porous sponge comprises fragrance and/or other active compositioncomprising insect repellant, flea repellants and treatments, ticrepellant, mane and tail hair conditioning compositions, dyecompositions, moisturizing ingredients, or antibacterial compounds.